McDonnell F2H Banshee

The McDonnell F2H Banshee was a carrier-based jet fighter that served the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through the Korean War and into the late 1950s. A larger, more powerful development of the company's pioneering FH-1 Phantom, the Banshee first flew in January 1947 and entered service in 1948. Its two Westinghouse J34 turbojets gave it markedly better speed, altitude and range than its predecessor, and its high service ceiling made it valuable for high-altitude work.

During the Korean War, F2Hs flew escort, ground-attack and photo-reconnaissance missions, earning a reputation as a rugged and dependable aircraft. Variants included the long-range F2H-2, the all-weather radar-equipped F2H-3/-4, and dedicated photo-reconnaissance models. More than 890 Banshees were built, and the type also served with the Royal Canadian Navy as that service's first jet fighter, remaining in Canadian use until 1962.